Page 16 of Tavarr's Mate
You’re not a tourist. You’re my fiancée. Start acting like it.
I flinch. He’s dead, but sometimes his harsh words resurface at random and cut as deep as the first time.
“Something wrong, honey?” Joanna asks, eyeing me with concern. She’s standing in the kitchen doorway, holding a basket filled with berries. Wisps of white are escaping her tight bun. She’s slightly out of breath and her face is flushed. She must have gone on another trek up the mountain to pick the berries Zandek favors, the same type of berries Zell snuck inside my cage in Vonn’s house on several occasions.
“No, I am fine.” I rise from the table, feeling guilty that I’ve spent the last few weeks sleeping and laying around while Joanna and the two Ghessans have done most of the work. Even Helena contributes, often cooking dinner, but much of her time during the days are spent with her mate. He takes her on long walks through town sometimes, and though they have invited me to tag along, I have always declined.
I’m an unmated young female—fertile, as Zell has matter-of-factly reminded me on several occasions—and I suspect I would attract unwanted stares from single Kleaxian males. Though the entire town must know I am living in Zandek’s household and the reason for it—Vonn’s crimes against me are certainly no secret, as the prince publicly judged and executed him—it feels safer to remain hidden in this house, away from the hungry eyes of any unmated Kleaxian males who might petition the prince for my hand.
“Here, let me wash the berries,” I say, taking the basket from Joanna.
She gives me a curious look, then smiles. “Thank you, Katrina. How are you feeling today?”
“Not as tired as I normally am.” It’s the truth, and I return her smile and set the basket on the counter next to the sink.
“Perhaps you would like to go for a walk with Master Zandek and Helena later? It would do you good to get some fresh air.”
“I get fresh air every day,” I remind her. “I spend time on the rooftop terrace, don’t I?” Sometimes she joins me in the evenings, sitting next to me as she works on her knitting.
“Is it the leashes?” she asks. “Do they make you uneasy? Is that why you declined to attend Prince Kenan and Laylah’s human wedding in the town square? You won’t have to wear one, until you are mated, anyway. You will have to walk behind Zandek though, out of respect, as he is your official male guardian. You can walk next to Helena and all will be fine. No one will bother you.”
The leashes Kleaxian males put on their females to wear in public do upset me, but the prospect of being noticed by an unmated Kleaxian male disturbs me more. I tell Joanna as much, and she gives me a compassionate look.
“You must prepare yourself for the inevitability of being mated to a Kleaxian, my dear. I wish it weren’t so, but when the year is up, Prince Kenanwillsee you matched with a male of his choosing.” Her eyes light up. “Speaking of the prince, he and his mate, Laylah, are coming over for dinner tomorrow night. Helena informed me this morning.”
“Is that so?” I finish washing the berries and wipe my hands on a towel. “Is he a reasonable man, the prince?” He must be considered unusual from the majority of his race, if he married Laylah in an Earth wedding ceremony, but I’m curious to know how far those differences reach.
“Well, he’s a traditional Kleaxian, but I believe he is learning to be more understanding of human ways, based on my conversations with Laylah, whom I see almost every time I venture up the mountain to pick berries. Prince Kenan is actually half-human, did you know that?”
My mouth drops open and I stare at Joanna. “Half-human?” I knew Kleaxians and humans could have children together, but I didn’t think any interbreeding had occurred long enough ago that half-human, half-Kleaxians have already reached adulthood. Harry only showed me pictures of the children, which he disdainfully referred to aslittleredbastards. A flash of hatred for him heats my blood, and I push away all thoughts of my former fiancé, not wanting to dwell in the past. He’s gone. He’s dead. And even if he were still alive, I wouldn’t want anything to do with him.
“Oh yes, half-human. I don’t know the particulars of how that happened, but I know his mother was a Kleaxian princess, and his grandfather is the king.”
A half-human prince. Perhaps I can convince Prince Kenan to allow me to remain in Zandek’s household as a servant, or a slave. Technically, Joanna is considered a slave, though to my knowledge she is treated well. She doesn’t join us during mealtimes, but she interacts with me and Helena often. I consider the elderly woman my friend, and I know Helena does as well, despite her official status as a slave. Though I would rather be free, I know it’s an impossibility, unless I manage to run away. But escape doesn’t seem likely given how closely Zandek watches me. My best option is to seek a placement as a slave.
I depart the kitchen and decide to seek out the Ghessans and help them with their work today. If I can prove myself a good laborer, it will help when I make my case with the prince and Zandek.
However, when Prince Kenan and Laylah arrive for dinner the following evening, they aren’t alone.
A tall and muscular Kleaxian male stands next to the prince.
I discern the male holding Laylah’s leash is Prince Kenan, but I’m confused by the appearance of this stranger beside him.
The moment Mr. Unknown looks at me, while I stand nervously next to Helena in the entryway, his nostrils flare and his luminous purple eyes darken with unmistakable lust.
Chapter Nine
“Who is that male Kleaxian?” I whisper to Helena. Zandek is standing in the doorway, speaking to Prince Kenan and the other male in their native tongue. The exchange appears tense, as Zandek’s voice is initially terse, until the prince steps in front of Mr. Unknown and speaks in a reassuring tone to Zandek. “Do you know what they are saying?”
“I have never seen that male Kleaxian before, and I don’t understand even a little of their language, I’m afraid, even after all this time. I’m sorry. Try not to worry.” She gives my hand a squeeze.
Zandek steps back and gestures for Prince Kenan, Laylah, and Mr. Unknown to enter. The door glides shut behind them, and I take deep breaths and try to calm myself. Mr. Unknown’s unblinking gaze is still leveled on me though, hot and intense, and I’m suspicious of his presence.
Introductions are made, and it’s all I can do to keep from running upstairs and hiding. But I refuse to cower. I cowered too many times in front of Vonn, and I don’t want to be that frightened girl anymore. For once in my life, I want to be strong and brave.
Please let me be strong and brave.
Laylah hugs me in greeting and Prince Kenan nods at me. Mr. Unknown is introduced as Tavarr and the prince says he’s from Hehna, another town on Dennian Mountain.
